This 21 Day Fix Secret Ingredient Queso Dip with Homemade Chips is a healthy version of one of my favorites!
Confession #110 – I could eat my weight in queso dip.
In fact, I may already have.
I went to grad school in a teeny, tiny town in upstate New York…so tiny that I drove into Canada to go shopping and get my hair cut. There just wasn’t much in the way of anything, but, interestingly, there was this amazing Mexican Restaurant. Like totally, legitimately yummy and while I only lived there for a year, I still dream about their margaritas and their unbelievably delicious queso.
You know it had to be good if it outshined their very delicious guacamole.
When I decided to make my own, 21 Day Fix approved queso, I knew I wouldn’t be the same without the fake Velveeta cheese, but I was actually quite surprised at how much I LOVED this dip.
The real test was going to be my husband. Because I used a whole bunch of cauliflower puree to make this dip…and I was convinced he would be able to tell. Not that he is against cauliflower – he loves my Sausage and Cauliflower Casserole and my Cauliflower Cheeseburger Mac, but cauliflower in a cheese dip seemed a little risky.
You guys, he loved it.
Not only did we eat some with our homemade chips, but we used it as a topping for our Pork Carnitas that night, too.
Total success.
And did I mention it was incredibly easy, too? And if you want more, you can DOUBLE your serving size…it’s only 1/2 Blue for each 1/4 cup.
I did prefer it hot, so I would even suggest serving it in a crock pot or some other heated bowl if you are going to put it out for a party. And if you have some extra blue to spare, you could top it with more cheese and throw it under the broiler for a few minutes to brown.
As always, if you give this one a try, let me know what you think! I love hearing from you!
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This 21 Day Fix Secret Ingredient Queso Dip with Homemade Chips is a healthy version of one of my favorites!
Ingredients
- 4 cups of cauliflower florets
- 1/2 cup of broth or milk of your choice
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tsp of butter or olive oil
- 1 1/3 cups of freshly shredded sharp cheddar or cheddar jack cheese
- 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained – mild, medium, or hot depending on your taste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- chili powder (optional)
- cumin (optional)
Homemade chips
- Corn tortillas
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
- Salt
Instructions
- Place cauliflower florets in a large microwave-safe bowl with enough water to just cover the bottom of the bowl. Cover bowl loosely with waxed paper or a paper towel and steam cauliflower in microwave on high until tender, 4 to 5 minutes; drain.
- Using a food processor, blend cauliflower with broth or milk to make a puree. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Melt butter and saute garlic 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Add cauliflower puree to skillet and heat until warm, then stir in cheese until melted. Next add in drained tomatoes and salt. Cook on low ten minutes or until the flavors blend. Sprinkle in some chili pepper and cumin if desired, adjusting to taste.
- Garnish with cilantro or jalapeno if you are feeling it!
- For the chips – cut Corn tortillas into 6 pieces and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray with olive oil spray and cook for 8-10 minutes at 350. Chips will crisp up as they cool.
Notes
1 YELLOW, 1/2 BLUE, 1/2 GREEN per serving
**If you want more dip, you can double for 1 BLUE and 1 GREEN!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup of dip and 12 chips
Keywords: appetizer, snack, side, mexican, cheese, queso, dairy-free, gluten-free
Karen says
I’m wondering how it smells ? Doesn’t the smell give it away that it’s made w/cauliflower?
Oh how I would love to try this, but don’t think my family would go for it…they would know.
Nancylynn says
It smells when you steam the cauliflower for sure!! But the dip itself doesn’t. I know – I was worried, too…but my husband gobbled it up!!
Heather says
Can it be made ahead and reheated for game day?
Nancylynn says
Yes!!!
Michele says
You can now purchase cauliflower crumbles in the freezer section. Would that work for this? Just skip to the blending step with the broth?
Thanks for the recipe! Can’t wait to try!
Nancylynn says
Yes!!!
Desirea says
Did you go to Potsdam?
Nancylynn says
I went there for grad school!!!
Nancylynn says
Do you know the restaurant I’m talking about???? <3
Christie says
Looks amazing! Doing 80DO Now and need this! Ha!!
How do you count the green container?
Nancylynn says
If I have 1/4 cup of dip, it’s 1/2 green and 1/2 blue!
Heathe says
I live in Plattsburgh! Thanks for the recipe!
Nancylynn says
You do?? SO FUN! I loved my time up there!
Abigail says
Hey! Is there a substitute if I don’t have cauliflower? I have broccoli and cauliflower mixed together, will that work?
Nancylynn says
Try it!!
Audrey says
Mine turned out more like the texture of grits (probably due to my food processor). But hey, guilt-free Mexican grits! I decided to cook up some ground turkey with taco seasoning, throw that on top, and wa-la, a green and red dinner with a hint of blue! No yellows! It was definitely something different, and we are always looking for variety!
Nancylynn says
That’s great, Audrey!
Ashley says
I had this over some shredded chicken and it HEAVENLY!!